Consider the following two projects. Both have costs of $5,000 in Year 1. Project 1 provides benefits of $2,000 in each of the first four years only. The second provides benefits of $2,000 for each of Years 6 to 10 only. Compute the net bene- fits using a discount rate of 6 percent. Repeat using a discount rate of 12 percent. What can you conclude from this exercise?

1. Compute the net benefits using a discount rate of 6 percent.

Net befit of Project 1 = $629.04

Net befit of Project 2 = $1,578.47

2. Repeat using a discount rate of 12 percent.

Net befit of Project 1 = $339.38

Net befit of Project 2 = - $373.39

3. What can you conclude from this exercise?

(a) Project 2 should be chosen when the discount rate is 6 percent.

(b) Project 1 should be chosen when the discount rate is 12 percent.

Explanation:

Note: See the attached excel file for the calculations of net benefits for Project 1 and Project 2.

3. What can you conclude from this exercise?

(a) When a discount rate of 6 percent is used, both Project 1 and Project 2 have positive net benefit. But the net benefit of Project 2 of $1,578.47 is higher than the net benefit of Project 1 of $629.04.

Therefore, project 2 should be chosen when the discount rate is 6 percent.

(a) When a discount rate of 12 percent is used, only Project 1 has a net benefit of $339.38, but the net benefit of Project 2 is negative at minus $373.39.

Therefore, project 1 should be chosen when the discount rate is 12 percent.

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